Don't Let Yourself Regret It

The day after the New Year celebrations at the Xiao Family, family members from out of town began leaving one after another. Nalan Yanran also bade farewell to Xiao Yan and Xiao Zhan, preparing to return to the Misty Cloud Sect.

This trip to the Xiao Family had made her deeply aware of her current shortcomings in every regard, while also making her even more certain of the path ahead.

There was no more time for her to waste.

Before leaving, Nalan Yanran left Xiao Yan with one final sentence.

"I will never give up."

Gazing At Nalan Yanran's departing Back View, Xiao Yan lightly scratched his cheek, a trace of helplessness appearing on his face.

At that moment, Xiao Jing and Xiao Li emerged carrying their luggage, with Qing Lin beside them. Xiao Yan was Stunned for a moment and looked at them with reluctance.

"Sister, Second Sister, are you leaving too?"

"Ah~ We can't be away from the Mercenary Group for too long."

Xiao Jing answered with a smile. Although they had only spent two nights at home, including the journey there and back, they had already been away from the Mercenary Group for a week.

"Don't look so sad~~~" Xiao Li grinned, reaching out to ruffle Xiao Yan's hair. "Little Yanzi, come visit the Mercenary Group when you get the chance. Second Sister will treat you to roasted scorpions!"

"Mm, I'll definitely go when I have the chance." Xiao Yan nodded solemnly, then lowered his head to look at Qing Lin. "Have you decided to return to the Mercenary Group too, Qing Lin?"

Xiao Jing and Xiao Li had spoken to Xiao Yan before. They had brought Qing Lin back This Time because they wanted her to stay with the Xiao Family, so the two of them could worry less. After all, the Tagor Desert was far less safe than Wutan City, and as a mixed-blood child of a human and a snake-person, Qing Lin was truly unwelcome there.

However, after Xiao Jing spoke with Qing Lin that morning, Qing Lin had firmly refused, insisting on returning to the Mercenary Group with Xiao Jing and Xiao Li.

Now, faced with Xiao Yan's question, Qing Lin gave her answer as well.

"I want to be with Leader Xiao Jing and the others, to change the current state of humans and the Snake-people race! I don't want Father and Mother's tragedy to happen again!"

Qing Lin's emerald-green eyes were filled with determination.

If humans and the Snake-people race had lived in peace, her parents would never have met such a tragic end. Qing Lin understood this clearly In Their Hearts.

That was precisely why she wanted to change things!

Rather than pray for others to accomplish it, she would rather take part herself!

Her father and mother's tragedy absolutely could not happen a second time!

Looking into Qing Lin's steadfast gaze, Xiao Yan smiled softly, crouching down to gently stroke her head.

"Then, do your best~"

"Mm!"

Qing Lin nodded vigorously.

Just then, two voices suddenly rang out from within the Xiao Family residence.

"Where's Little Qing Lin? Has she left?!"

"Little Qing Lin!!!"

Everyone turned around to see Xiao Yu and Xiao Mei running out of the Xiao Family residence.

The moment Xiao Mei saw Qing Lin standing at the entrance, she immediately pounced on her, tightly pulling Qing Lin into her arms and rubbing her little face back and forth.

"Waaah!!! Little Qing Lin, stay and keep Sister Xiao Mei company, okay? Sister will buy you anything you want!"

She had finally found a Sister she could take care of, only for her to leave after just two days together. Xiao Mei was filled with reluctance.

"Mei'er! Don't say things that will make Qing Lin feel awkward!"

Xiao Yu reached out and pulled Xiao Mei away from Qing Lin. Then, ignoring Xiao Mei's sniffling, she slowly crouched down and looked tenderly into Qing Lin's eyes.

"Little Qing Lin, take good care of yourself after you go back, okay~" Xiao Yu gently stroked Qing Lin's hair and smiled softly. "Come back to the Xiao Family next New Year and play with your sisters again, okay~"

"Okay~~~"

Qing Lin answered with a smile. Xiao Jing and Xiao Li exchanged glances and smiled, then both cupped their fists toward Xiao Zhan in farewell.

"Father, we're leaving."

"Mm~~~ Be careful on the road~"

Looking at his two daughters who were about to leave, Xiao Zhan hid his reluctance deep within his eyes.

Yet no matter how reluctant he was, Xiao Zhan did not say a single word to make them stay.

His children had already grown up. There was no reason for them to remain under his protection forever; they had the right to carve out their own place in the world!

But there was one thing Xiao Zhan could promise Xiao Jing and Xiao Li.

"If you encounter any difficulty in the future that you can't resolve, come back to the Xiao Family and find me!" Xiao Zhan looked at them and declared sternly, "I am your father! Don't let pride hold you back. The Xiao Family and I will always be your strongest support!"

"Yes!!!"

Xiao Jing and Xiao Li answered in unison, then slowly departed with Qing Lin amid everyone's farewells.

At that moment, Xiao Yan turned to face Xiao Zhan and cupped his fists solemnly.

"Father, Yan'er also plans to leave the Xiao Family tomorrow to travel and train!"

During these past days, Xiao Yan had constantly reflected on how he should walk his Righteous Path, and how he could walk it farther.

At the same time, Xiao Yan had come to realize that the Righteous Path he currently held In Their Hearts was nothing more than empty theory, unable to withstand much scrutiny.

Even with the Xiao Family as a successful example, Xiao Yan still could not be completely certain that his Righteous Path was truly correct.

For that reason, he had to leave the Xiao Family, leave the place where he had grown up, and venture into the vast world outside. He had to personally understand things he had never understood before and experience lives he had never experienced.

Then, upon that foundation, refine the Righteous Path he pursued!

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Xiao Zhan was Stunned for a moment. Xiao Xun'er and the others beside him were all shocked, while Xiao Mei directly grabbed Xiao Yan's arm and began shaking it.

"Cousin Xiao Yan!!!"

Xiao Mei was so anxious that she was nearly in tears. The Sister she had longed for had just left, and now the cousin she had admired since childhood was leaving too?!

Xiao Yan paid no attention to Xiao Mei's tearful pleas, staring resolutely at his father.

Xiao Zhan looked at the solemn Xiao Yan before him. After a long while, he slowly came back to himself and revealed a helpless smile.

So this day had finally come.

Xiao Zhan was not especially surprised by what Xiao Yan had said.

Long ago, he had noticed that his son had always sought a path completely different from that of most people in this world.

Xiao Zhan also understood that, with his son's character, he would never close himself off and arrogantly believe that the path he pursued was correct.

That was why he would eventually leave the Xiao Family and search for an answer that satisfied him.

Xiao Xun'er quietly watched Xiao Yan's resolute profile. Her lips parted as though she wanted to say something, but in the end, she swallowed the words back down.

Though her eyes were filled with reluctance, she did not speak a single word to make him stay.

She should not become Xiao Yan's burden, Even If she was unwilling in her heart.

Since Xiao Yan had spoken to Xiao Zhan so solemnly, it proved that he had already made up his mind and would not be swayed by anyone.

In that case, all she could do was silently support him.

"I understand." Xiao Zhan sighed softly, then smiled. "Go. Go pursue your own path, and don't let yourself regret it!"

Hearing Xiao Zhan's words, Xiao Yan gave an extremely solemn reply.

"Your son accepts your command!"